More Hors d’Oeuvres by Request
Wow, I had a great response from my readers about appetizers from my post yesterday. One of my comments was a question: As a party planner what menu item would you recommend if you needed to serve lamb to a special guest? My answer to that is that there are many, many lamb recipes that are wonderful but my favorite one is Skewered Lamb with Red Onion Cilantro Salsa. This is a summery tapas dish that ideal for any occasion but especially good for an outdoor event. These skewers are grilled but if you don’t have access to a grill then they can be broiled instead. The accompanying salsa is simple but full of robust flavor to compliment the Lamb. This is an easy appetizer that will be a huge hit with any guest.
Skewered Lamb with Red Onion Cilantro Salsa / serves 4
Wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soak in cold water for 30 minutes to keep them from burning)
8-10 oz. lean lamb, cubed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Place the cubed lamb in a bowl with the cumin, paprika, olive oil and salt and pepper, toss well to coat meat with spices. cover and refridgerate for at least 2 hours or overnight
Salsa
1 medium red onion chopped (set aside large pieces to place between each pice of lamb on the skewer)
1 large red, ripe tomato chopped
2 fresh Serrano Chili peppers, seeded and minced
4-6 sprigs fresh Cilantro, chopped
4 fresh mint leaves,chopped (can subsitute fresh basil)
1-2 tbsp. red wine vinagar
1 clove fresh garlic chopped
juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Skewer meat between pieces of red onion, cook on the grill over a hot fire for 5-10 minutes, turning frequently, until the lamb is well browned but still slightly pink in the center. Serve hot with the fresh salsa. Garnish with fresh Mint and Cilantro Sprigs
